With Screw-thread Operated Cam Or Wedge Patents (Class 439/807)
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Patent number: 12237634Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to electrically and mechanically connect a main conductor to a bail or tap conductor includes a C-shaped frame having a curved top wall adapted to fit over a main conductor and a curved bottom wall adapted to receive a bail or tap conductor. A fastener-operated wedge assembly is carried within the frame between a conductor receiving position and a conductor clamping position. The wedge assembly has a wedge body with a primary contact surface adapted to contact the main conductor and a secondary contact surface adapted to contact the bail or tap conductor when the wedge body is moved from the conductor receiving position to the conductor clamping position. The fastener positively moves the wedge body between the positions so that the clamping action of the connector can be tightened or loosened as desired.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2023Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: BURNDY, LLCInventors: Jeremy Jushchyshyn, Nicholas Polidori, Michael Bucciero
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Patent number: 12062878Abstract: Wedge type electrical connector assemblies adapted to electrically and mechanically connect conductors within transmission and/or distribution circuits is provided. The wedge type electrical connector assembly includes a frame, an interface and a wedge assembly. The interface is coupled to the frame so that it is movable relative to the frame. The interface can move and flex when installing conductors into the wedge type electrical connector assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2023Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: Burndy, LLCInventors: Jeremy Jushchyshyn, Gary E. Schrader, Charles L. York, Andison Fernandez, Nicholas Polidori
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Patent number: 11888276Abstract: A conductor terminal, including at least one spring-force clamping connection for connecting an electrical conductor, the spring-force clamping connection having a busbar and a clamping spring, The clamping spring having a clamping leg, which, together with the busbar, forms a clamping point for the electrical conductor, and including an actuating element, the actuating element having a displaceably supported contact part, and the clamping point being able to be opened by a pushing movement of the contact part oriented in the direction of the clamping leg, the actuating element including an actuating part, rotatably supported around a first rotation axis and coupled with the contact part, by means of which the pushing movement of the contact part may be generated with the aid of a rotational movement of the actuating part.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbHInventors: Muhammet Ali Tuerkekoele, Markus Lorenschat
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Publication number: 20120231676Abstract: An electrical connector (2) housing (1) for connecting at least one cable lug (31) to a threaded terminal of an electrical device (4), including, for each lug, a hole (11) for receiving a screw (12) for retaining a lug in a threaded terminal, which hole has a lateral slot (13) designed to allow a lug to penetrate the hole, a lower opening (14) for connecting the lug to a threaded terminal and an upper opening (15) designed to allow the passage of a screwing tool for the screw, the size of the upper opening of the hole at its widest point being strictly less than the size of the hole at its widest point, said opening being designed so as to allow the passage of the screwing tool and having a section which is less than the section of a human finger.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS FRANCE SASInventors: Jean-Pierre Picaud, Bruno Dupont
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Publication number: 20120214355Abstract: An adjustable clamping device includes a wedge pad and a conductor pad. The wedge pad has a first fastener hole and a wedge receiving surface. The conductor pad has a second fastener hole and a conductor receiving surface. The conductor receiving surface faces the wedge receiving surface to receive a wedge and a conductor therebetween. A fastener is received by the first and second fastener holes to adjustably connect the wedge pad to the conductor pad. A spring member is disposed on the fastener, abuts the wedge pad and biases the wedge pad toward the conductor pad to facilitate retaining the wedge and conductor between the wedge receiving surface and the conductor receiving surface. The spring member allows spacing between the wedge pad and conductor pad to be adjusted to accommodate various sized wedges and conductors while maintaining pressure on the received wedge and conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: HUBBELL INCORPORATEDInventor: Robert Victor De France
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Patent number: 7677933Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a bail, a first conductive member having a first hook portion extending from a first wedge portion, wherein the first hook portion adapted to engage a main conductor, and a second conductive member having a second hook portion extending from a second wedge portion. The second hook portion is adapted to engage the bail. The first wedge portion and the second wedge portion are adapted to nest with one another and be secured to one another to capture and electrically connect the main conductor and the bail.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Tyco Electronics CorporationInventors: Charles D. Copper, Dmitry Ladin
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Patent number: 7524217Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for a utility power transmission system includes a first conductive member having a first hook portion and a first base wedge portion with the first hook portion extending from the first wedge portion and is adapted to engage a main conductor. A second conductive member includes a hook portion and a wedge portion with the hook portion extending from the wedge portion and adapted to engage a tap conductor. The wedge portion of the first conductive member and the wedge portion of the second conductive member are adapted to nest with one another and be secured to one another by hand without specialized tooling. The assembly further comprises a displacement stop that is located on at least one of the first and second conductive members once fully mated. The displacement stop is positioned to define a final displacement relation between the first and second conductive members.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Tyco Electronics CorporationInventors: Charles D. Copper, Ned E. Corman
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Patent number: 7052335Abstract: An electric wire connecting device 50 has a housing 53 as an outer body; a screw 55 that can rotate freely about a rotation axis 55a at a prescribed position in the housing 53 but is prevented from moving in the axial direction; a slider 57 that is threadedly engaged with the screw 55 and makes a go-movement or a return-movement in accordance with the rotation direction of the screw 55; a guide hole 61 through which to introduce an electric wire 59 into the housing 53; and a cam 63 that is in contact with a go-side surface 91 or a return-side surface 93 of the slider 57 and rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in accordance with the movement direction of the slider 57, and presses, at a prescribed rotation position, a portion of the electric wire 59 that is located in the guide hole 61.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventors: Naoya Matsuura, Kotaro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6979236Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an electrical wedge connector assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a shell, an eye bolt and a wedge sized and shaped to be inserted into the shell for connecting two conductors to each other. The eye bolt comprises a swivel joint adapted to be inserted into the wedge.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.Inventor: Daniel J. Stanton
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Patent number: 6921300Abstract: An electrical connector has an elongated metal base portion, a releasable cable clamp at each opposite end of the base portion, and a connector block of electrical insulating material secured to the base portion between the cable clamps. The connector block has at least one passage therethrough extending from one end of the connector block to an opposite end thereof. A metal connector tube in each passage receives end portions of wires of two electrical cables to effect an electrical connection therebetween, each cable clamp being operable to clamp a respective cable to the connector.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Inventor: Joe Bartok
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Patent number: 6918780Abstract: A snap fastener for the electrical socket comprises a housing, a receptacle and snap fastener. When the knob of the snap fastener is being turned, the downward hump of the knob will drive the bulge of the brake plate to rotate and finally fall into the bottom recess of the brake plate and the fork of the brake plate will move downward to clamp the electrical blades of the plug in place. When the knob is turned in the reverse direction, the bulge of the snap will rise from the recess and push upward the fork of the brake plate, so the electrical blades of the plug get loose and are easy to leave the socket. Or a screw shank is used instead of the snap to move down or up the brake plate by turning the knob only.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Exito Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Po-Cheng Yang
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Patent number: 6676454Abstract: A top-loading pad mount electrical connector is provided with swing-away pressure pads for securing secondary conductors to the connector body. The swing-away pressure pads are frictionally engaged with threaded fasteners to pivot with the fastener between a clamping position where a jaw is aligned with and over a conductor lay-in groove and an open position which clears a conductor lay-in opening above the lay-in groove. A split insulating cover permits the top-loading pad mount connector to be installed and the connections with secondary conductors established prior to electrically insulating the assembly to ensure code compliance.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Delri LLCInventor: Robert De France
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Patent number: 6565393Abstract: A retrofit arrangement using a non-conductive adaptor body is used to attach leads or lead spade terminations to deteriorated compressor terminals. A secure holding force between the leads or spades attached to the leads and the deteriorated terminals is obtained with a wedging force. A screw is arranged at an angle to the terminal to directly provide the wedging force. The screw can also be of non-conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1999Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Mainstream Engineering CorporationInventor: Gregory S. Cole
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Patent number: 6565394Abstract: A jumper cable for use with electrical meter sockets includes an improved clamp at each end. The clamp includes a substantially coaxial threaded rod, threadedly secured to a movable jaw that may move between an open position and a closed position, guided between a pair of guide surfaces that are angled in an orientation that is not parallel to the threaded rod. The movable jaw may therefore be caused to be move laterally by rotating a knob at the end of the threaded rod that is located at the end of the clamp opposite the jaws, where it will provide the best access to itself, and minimize interference with meter removal.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Paul D. Seff, James M. Campbell
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Patent number: 6296532Abstract: A connecting device (10) for detachably connecting an electrical conductor (12) for high currents which is disposed therein, to an electrical contact (14) is characterized in that at least one wedging face (44) is provided, by means of which the electrical conductor (12) can be loaded against the contact (14).Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Harting KGaAInventors: Dietmar Harting, Ludger Leve, Jens Krause
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Patent number: 6048233Abstract: A retrofit arrangement is used to attach leads to deteriorated compressor terminals and the like. A secure holding force between the leads and the terminals is obtained with a wedging force. A screw arranged at an angle to the terminal can directly provide the wedging force or, alternatively, indirectly through one or more wedge-shaped bodies.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corp.Inventor: Gregory S. Cole
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Patent number: 5795195Abstract: An electrical plug assembly for an alternator rectifier receptacle has a wedge element that cooperates with a rigid housing to securely clamp the rectifier prongs.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Inventor: Mark A. Karlsberger
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Patent number: 5741073Abstract: A uniform temperature reference block for connection with the cold reference terminations of thermocouples inserted into a plurality of cavities in the block using a novel thermally conducting bridging bar having an electrically insulating covering and a corresponding plurality of electrically conducting uninsulated projections secured at successive spaced points of the bar along the insulating covering thereof and parallely extending transversely from the bar for inserting within the block cavities.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1995Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Kaye Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth A. Ribeiro, Robert E. Goldschmidt, John Nelson, John R. Sullivan
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Patent number: 5632633Abstract: A method of manufacturing grounding connectors (1) based on a stamping process on progressive tooling which can produce a grounding connector (1) which is lighter, of a reduced size, and is of low manufacturing cost. The wedge type grounding connector (1) comprises a hollow body (2), a wedge (3), a shear-head bolt (4), two nests (5, 6) for grounding cables (7) and rods (8), and a solid fixture block (9). With the exception of the fixture block (9), all components of the grounding connector (1) are light, and of a reduced size since these components of the grounding connector (1) are manufactured by a stamping process.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1996Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventors: Joannes W. M. Roosdorp, Wilson M. Yamada, Alexandre M. Soriano
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Patent number: 5545059Abstract: A hollow center conductor connector assembly having an expandable plug (12), a plug-expanding-conductor-coupler (14) and a bolt (15) provides a connector for smooth wall hollow center conductors and corrugated wall center conductors. The expandable plug (12) is provided with fine teeth (34) for gripping a smooth wall type center conductor and a helical groove (36) for gripping a corrugated wall type center conductor. The diameter of the expandable plug (12) is expanded when the plug-expanding-conductor-coupler (14) and expandable plug (12) are drawn together by a bolt (15).Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1995Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Radio Frequency Systems, Inc.Inventor: James W. Nelson
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Patent number: 5530205Abstract: Rectangular bus bars alternatively engaged in either of a pair of crossed slots in a support block secured in a panel board are locked in place by a locking device incorporated in a cylindrical terminal portion of each bus bar. The locking device includes an expandable ring seated in a circumferential groove in the cylindrical terminal portion. A pair of actuating pins are urged radially outward in diametrically opposed bores to wedge the expandable ring against the support block, by a tapered screw threaded into a central longitudinal bore in the terminal portion of the bus bar.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1994Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: David A. Parks, Arthur D. Carothers, Glen C. Sisson, Michael J. Erb
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Patent number: 5498264Abstract: A clamp connection serves to connect two construction components, in particular for an osteo-synthetic fixation device in a structure in which the construction components are off-set from the force axis of the loading force that retains them.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1994Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)Inventors: Johannes F. Schlapfer, Martin Hess, Roland Woreth, Peter Tanner, Hans Weigum
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Patent number: 5439399Abstract: An interconnect device for a power supply blade having two flat sides comprising a first portion having a fiat surface for contact with one flat side of the blade, and a second portion having a flat surface facing the first flat surface for contact with the other flat side of the blade. One flat surface is translatable toward and away from the other flat surface to engage and disengage the blade, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1994Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: Lee Spechts, Tuvia Leneman, Larry Pignolet
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Patent number: 5423699Abstract: An electrical connector 50 of the type having a C-shaped body member 52 having laterally opposing arcuate ears 60 extending therealong from a wide to a narrow end, the wide end being adapted to receive a wedge member 72 having opposed converging side surfaces 80 defining wire-receiving channels 70 in cooperation with corresponding ones of the arcuate ears 60 opposed therefrom, all for receipt thereinto of respective uninsulated wire conductors therealong to be interconnected upon compression between the wedge member 72 and the C-shaped body member 52 by actuation of a drive bolt 44 causing the wedge member 72 to be driven into the wide end of the C-shaped body member and held therein. The C-shaped body member 52 includes an axial corrugation 64 extending from a far end to a transverse section at a bolt receiving end 67 defining a bolt receiving relief 65, the relief 65 having a concave dimension just large enough to permit passage of a bolt shank therealong.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1993Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventor: Barry J. Johnson
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Patent number: 5340216Abstract: A uniform temperature reference block for connection with the cold reference wires of a plurality of thermocouples employing a corresponding plurality of screw terminal modular connectors each provided with an insulated termination cavity containing a terminal conductor compressable, upon tightening the screw, against the thermocouple input wire and, in turn, the wire against an adjacent electrically insulated but thermally conductive projection of a thermal bridging bar, preferably of anodized aluminum, within the termination cavity, to establish electrical termination connection of the thermocouple wire with thermal coupling along the block.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1992Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Assignee: Kaye Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Goldschmidt
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Patent number: 5320565Abstract: Improvements and modifications to an electrical grid interconnector initially adapted for electrically and mechanically interconnecting conductors in parallel which improvements and modifications permit the electrical connector to additionally connect the two conductors in perpendicular relationship. The connector includes a C-shaped clamp body member which has a lower surface, a flat back surface and a downwardly curved upper surface. A wedge member, moved by screw means relative to the body member, works against the lower surface of the C-shaped clamp member. A slot is provided in the clamp body member extending from the lower surface thereof upwardly through the rear wall and curved top wall thereof. Alternate conductor interface inserts are provided which are positioned between the two conductors to be interconnected.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1993Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: Nicholas B. PolidoriInventor: Mario D. Polidori
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Patent number: 5310366Abstract: An easily accessible electrical connector capable of rapid assembly and disassembly wherein a wide metal conductor sheet may be evenly contacted over the entire width of the conductor sheet by opposing surfaces on the connector which provide an even clamping pressure against opposite surfaces of the metal conductor sheet using a single threaded actuating screw.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1993Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Joseph R. Milner
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Patent number: 5090924Abstract: A tubular anode includes an electrical connector formed of a diagonally split two-part generally cylindrical slug. The diagonal slit provides an elliptical wedge interface between the two parts and a jack screw is threaded in one part and extends through an enlarged hole in the other. Tightening the jack screw within the tube causes the two parts to offset and wedge against the inside of the tube. The two parts include an aligned slot which intersects the major axis of the elliptical interface and a lead wire or cable is electrically secured to one of the parts within its slot. The slot is configured to press the lead or cable against the interior of the tube. The lead wire for a string anode extends through the slot of the other part. In the formation of an anode string the tubular anodes are threaded onto unspooled insulated wire or cable, a short portion of the insulation is removed at each connector location, and with the tubular anode offset, a connector is secured to the bare wire.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1991Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Assignee: Materials Protection CompanyInventors: Mathew A. Pfaller, Kenneth N. Baker, Richard E. Say
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Patent number: 5035660Abstract: A connecting device for securing a cable such as an electrical cable. More particularly, the connecting device includes a first cylindrical member having a laterally open groove rotatably positioned in an eccentrical bore of a second member. A passage, defined by the groove and bore, is decreased in diameter upon the relative rotation of the first and second members to compress and securely retain a cable positioned therein.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1988Date of Patent: July 30, 1991Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventor: Walter M. Werner
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Patent number: 5013268Abstract: In order to make a connection between a heating wire for the production of a stream of ions and a current conductor terminal the heating wire which is enclosed by a shoe into an axial bore at the end of the current conductor and is clampingly held by a clamping member in form of a sphere pressed against the shoe, whereby a tapered section of the screw bolt is pressed the sphere, said screw bolt being screwed into a tapped hole in the current conductor terminal which extends parallel to the hole in which said shoe is received.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1990Date of Patent: May 7, 1991Assignee: Balzers AktiengesellschaftInventor: Anton Kunz
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Patent number: 5000705Abstract: An electrical cable connection device (10) for use in splicing a pair of cables or teminating a single cable has been disclosed. More particularly, the device (10) includes a body member (12), wedge (14) and bolt (16). An axial passage (22) through the body member for receiving the end of the cable is intersected by a transverse passage (42) in which the wedge (14) is slidably positioned. The wedge (14) is drawn into tight engagement with the cable by the bolt (16) entering the transverse passage (42) on an opposite side of the axial passage (22).Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1990Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: Andrew J. Kinka, Walter M. Werner
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Patent number: 4863403Abstract: An electrical connector for use in electrically connecting a pair of cables. More particularly the connector includes a tapered, C-shaped member and a wedge member for being driven into the C-shaped member to secure the cables therein. According to one embodiment, bolts, cooperating with a flange crossing an end of the wedge member, are threadedly advanced into apertures on the C-shaped member to drive the wedge member. In a second embodiment, a bolt, mounted on the C-shaped member is threaded into a sleeve on the wedge member to pull it into the C-shaped member.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1988Date of Patent: September 5, 1989Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventor: Suel G. Shannon
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Patent number: 4824405Abstract: A self-locking electrical banana plug comprising a main body member having an expandable plug at one end and expansion means operable to expand the plug at the other end, and means for receiving and clamping an electrical conductor to the body member, the expansion means, in operation, concomitantly expanding the plug and clamping the conductor.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1987Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Inventor: Ronald Derain
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Patent number: 4813894Abstract: An electrical connector for mechanically securing and electrically interconnecting a pair of electrical cables. More particularly, the connector includes a C-member defining cable-receiving channels and having an arcuate portion in the web section extending between the channels to define an interior space in communication with an offset from the channels. Also included is a tapered drive member which is advanced into the space to engage the cables positioned in the channels to secure and electrically interconnect them.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1987Date of Patent: March 21, 1989Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventor: James L. Mixon, Jr.
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Patent number: 4795365Abstract: A splice device for in-line splicing of two cables, wires or the like. More particularly, the device includes a body member having axial extending apertures in each end face and transversely extending passages intersecting the apertures. Wedge members, having threaded ends, are positioned in the transverse passages with the threaded ends extending out of the body member of receiving nuts so that the wedge members can be drawn tightly in the passages and thereby securely wedging cables positioned in the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1988Date of Patent: January 3, 1989Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: Gordon R. Johnston, Walter M. Werner
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Patent number: 4764127Abstract: An electrical connector for an audio product, such as an amplifier and a loudspeaker, comprises a rod-shaped body and a clamping sleeve; the rod-shaped body having a rear portion, a front portion and an intermediate portion; the rear portion having an axial hole at its end, a segment of the end being ground away from the side to form a solder lug, and having male threads between the end and the intermediate portion; the intermediate portion having a flange and a knurled segment between the flange and the male threads of the rear portion; the front portion having a slot across its diameter and an axial hole in the slot, both of which extend from its end substantially to the flange, and having a cylindrical segment adjacent the flange and having a wider segment with male threads and a tapered end; the clamping sleeve having female threads engageable with the male threads of the front portion of the rod-shaped body and having an internal tapered end adjacent the female threads and engageable with the tapered endType: GrantFiled: May 28, 1987Date of Patent: August 16, 1988Assignee: Edison Price IncorporatedInventor: Edison A. Price
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Patent number: 4752252Abstract: An axial grip connector for electrically and mechanically connecting cables together. More particularly, the connector includes a plurality of beveled, jaws which cooperatively form an elongated, double tapered gripping member with a passage therethrough for receiving the cables, collars for being driven onto the tapered gripping member to compress the jaws into gripping engagement with the cables and telescoping drive members which enclose the gripping member and collars and which drive the collars onto the gripping member by being threaded together.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1987Date of Patent: June 21, 1988Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: Hitesh Cherry, Walter M. Werner
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Patent number: 4743204Abstract: An electric circuit breaker or switch is disclosed having a plug-in connection means with an auxiliary bolt-operated means for enhancing the electrical and mechanical connection between the circuit breaker and a panelboard terminal. A U-shaped terminal clip is mounted in an opening in the circuit breaker case. The terminal clip engages over and frictionally grips a stab terminal on a panelboard to provide an electrical connection. A C-shaped clamp fits over and partially encircles the terminal clip in such a manner that the free ends of the clamp arms project inwardly toward and contact the legs of the terminal clip. A screw, which may be non-conductive, is retained in a bore in the molded case of the circuit breaker, extends into the terminal clip opening and engages a threaded hole in the C-shaped clamp.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1986Date of Patent: May 10, 1988Assignee: Cooper IndustriesInventors: Thomas L. Fromm, Terry L. Tiede
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Patent number: 4684204Abstract: A filament assembly which includes spaced posts with slotted ends for positioning a filament. The ends of the filament are secured to the posts in tapered holes which receive a pin or screw to provide electrical contact and tension the filament.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1986Date of Patent: August 4, 1987Assignee: Finnigan CorporationInventors: Bruce S. Johnson, Dennis M. Taylor